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The TEDx takeover

A student visits the MyASW page for more information on the TEDxWestminsterCollegeSLC event. For students who have interest in speaking or attending the event on April 16, visit myaswc.com/portfolio/tedxwestminsterslc/ for more information. The application deadline for a chance to speak is Feb. 16 and the deadline for attendance is March 25. Photos by Christian Anderson

Westminster will be hosting its first TEDx event on April 16 from 9 to 3 p.m., thanks to first-year student Ben Pok and ASW.Events.

“Too many people have great ideas, but they just don’t have the voice to get it out,” said Pok, a triple major from Cambodia.

Pok is the official licensee and executive producer for this event. Pok said he heard from the TED committee that Westminster was accepted after about two months of back-and-forth communication.

The creators of TED, a nonprofit organization, said TED is “devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks.”

The major difference between TED and TEDx events is that the TEDx events are independently organized and managed. Even though TEDxWestminsterCollegeSLC will be an independently organized event, there are still guidelines and regulations that must be followed.

“If you have an idea and people to talk about it, the process isn’t too complicated,” Pok said. “The difficult part is following the legal requirements and guidelines.”

The theme for TEDxWestminsterCollegeSLC is “The Great Rediscovering.” Sarah Hirning, ASW.Events president and co-executive producer, said the theme was “created strategically” so they “aren’t limiting the topics.”

For students who have an interest in speaking at TEDxWestminsterCollegeSLC, the deadline for nominees is Feb. 16, and the speakers will be chosen Feb. 19.

First-year student Ben Pok collaborates with his Honors classmates to create an idea map about neoliberal policies. Too many people have great ideas, but they just don’t have the voice to get it out, said Pok, licensee and executive producer for TEDx.

“This is a big opportunity for Westminster,” said David Herzog, ASW.Events director of communication and design. “We should be grateful that ASW.Events, especially Ben and Sarah, is making this happen.”

Hirning, senior marketing major, said she is “interested in event planning,” especially for an event like TEDxWestminsterCollegeSLC.

“TED has a strong brand to uphold,” Hirning said. “We are in the capitol of Utah. People can get their ideas out through [TEDxWestminsterCollegeSLC].”

“What I like about [designing] is you have to have a visual and coherent identity across the event,” Herzog said. “From the passes to the flyers, to the posters and all the way to T-shirts and stage design for presentation.”

TEDx is different from Westminster Thinks Big because it’s a more student-centric event.

“The main difference between [TEDx and Westminster Thinks Big] is the scope of recognition,” Herzog said.

TED talks have a focus on the speakers, but TEDx events also put a responsibility on the audience and its willingness to listen and learn from the experiences presented.

An application for attendance is required and the deadline is March 25.

For additional information on TEDxWestminsterCollegeSLC, students can check out one of the posters and flyers available on campus, or visit myasw.com.

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